Seniors are living longer, healthier lives, but sometimes they can suffer from chronic pain due to certain disorders, surgery, or other health concerns. Managing chronic conditions for seniors can quickly become a full-time job, with individuals spending all of their free time taking care of their parents or elderly loved ones. Fortunately, there are things you can do to manage symptoms and pain levels better.
Baptist Retirement Community welcomes senior adults to our senior living community in San Angelo, TX. We have independent and assisted living programs for seniors who want to enjoy their freedom while being close to quality medical care. We also have memory care programs, respite care, and short and long-term skilled nursing care. To find out more about Buckner Baptist offerings call 325.313.7931 today.
Senior Chronic Conditions
Chronic conditions for seniors, or noncommunicable disease (NCD), can be caused by a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental, and behavioral factors. They are the leading cause of illness, disability, and death in America and are caused by a number of issues:
- Smoking
- Poor nutrition
- Physical inactivity
- Alcohol and drug use
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
Today, nearly 95% of senior adults have at least one chronic condition, and at least 80% have two or more.1 Common types of chronic diseases include heart disease, cancers, diabetes, and arthritis.
Baptist Retirement Community supports those who need a little help managing chronic conditions through our senior living community. Our assisted living programs include medication management, nutritious meal plans, and daily assistance to enhance their quality of life.
Tips for Managing Chronic Conditions in Seniors
Caregivers who are managing chronic conditions are at risk of burning out, which can lead to mistakes while caring for their patients. To avoid burnout while caring for seniors with chronic conditions, follow these tips for managing chronic conditions for caregivers:
Understanding the Illness
Caregivers should have an understanding of the illness seniors are struggling with and the type of care that is required. They should be aware of all medications and any adverse effects and coordinate with physical, speech, and occupational therapists and other medical professionals to ensure their patient’s quality of life.
Medication Management
One of the primary roles of a caregiver is to manage their patient’s medication and ensure the correct dosage is given at the proper time. Seniors who miss their medication will experience worsening conditions, more trips to the hospital, and a significant decrease in their ability to care for themselves.
Caregivers should be familiar with all side effects of the medication and be aware of any adverse reactions caused by drug interaction.
Planning Care
Managing chronic conditions in seniors can be complicated and requires specialized treatments that may mean taking longer than expected trips and working with several doctors or specialists. This means that caregivers will need to:
- Consider everyone’s feelings and how they will be affected by the treatment
- Assess the patient’s personal health needs, care needs, and how they impact daily living activities
- Determine the level of care required
- Create a plan of action that includes goals, a purpose statement, strategies, and the types of care that will be provided
Be sure to include details about daily activities, family rules, medication information, and other important documents.
Clarifying Roles
If you coordinate care with family members, you can set up a schedule for each. Have a clear role for each family member with a point of contact to call in case of emergencies. Go over which medications to take at specific times. Review scheduled doctor appointments and therapy sessions, and be sure to have a backup if the person isn’t available to take them.
As seniors live longer, fuller lives, living alone and relying on a caregiver is becoming more popular. You can create a safe and enjoyable space for seniors living at home while still providing quality at-home medical and therapeutic care.
Visit Baptist Retirement Community Today for Long-Term Skilled Nursing Care
At Baptist Retirement Community, we welcome Texas seniors who want to make the most out of their golden years by moving into our senior living community. We have assisted living and long-term skilled nursing care to meet your every need. Each care program is tailored to the individual and includes access to all of our social events.
If you need help living with senior chronic conditions and would like to schedule a tour, call 325.313.7931 today to speak with our staff or submit our online contact form.